Raffles Praslin, Seychelles Launches "Ranger for a Day" Programme

Friday, October 16, 2015

A unique eco-tourism initiative: the opportunity to live a day as an island ranger

September 2015, Seychelles – Recent trends have shown that travellers are demanding more individual and authentic travel experiences. A Trip Advisor-survey highlights that 71% of travellers said they plan to make more eco-friendly choices in the next 12 months, and the “Adventure Tourism Market Report” by George Washington University revealed that 42% of travellers reported an adventure activity as the main activity of their last trip. In line with these new trends, Raffles Praslin, Seychelles announced a new and exclusive experience for its guests, “Ranger for a Day”, consisting of environmental conservation activities, and spending a day with a park ranger on the neighboring island of Curieuse. This experience only available to Raffles’ guests, is a fascinating journey in which they will bond with Seychelles natural wonders, and get unique insight into the local environment, that can’t be found in any travel guide.

Guests will benefit from a rare ‘behind the scenes’ look and access to areas that are normally off limits to other visitors on Curieuse island, a nature reserve home to hundreds of giant tortoises, tropical birds, turtles, lush green mangroves, Coco de Mer palms, giant Takamaka trees, and other endemic flora and fauna species to be found only in Seychelles, or on the island. The activities are conducted in partnership with the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) and engage guests with the local environment, through unique hands-on experiences and interaction with the natural elements.

A typical “Ranger day” starts at 7.30am, when guests meet the Raffles Ranger at the resort’s beachfront and embark on a 10 minutes boat ride to Curieuse island. Upon arrival, the Rangers Supervisor will present the programme for the day and explain about SNPA’s mission. Guests will also be given an official ranger badge, uniform and handbook.

The apprentice rangers will start with a seasonal activity, which can be turtle monitoring, juveniles lemon shark tagging, or bird nest monitoring, followed by an interaction with the most popular inhabitants on the island, the giant tortoises. Nature explorers will learn how to distinguish male from female, estimate their age, monitor their behavior, participate in a tagging activity and census. The next experience will take the adventurous to the Marine Rangers’ Village, where they will take part in a coral reef protection project, prepare a trap for propagation, followed by a snorkeling tour to inspect the coral farm and transplantation site.

Guests will then have a traditional Seychellois lunch with the Rangers, at their cabin, before continuing the programme with a transplantation activity, at the tree nursery. Aspiring botanists will learn more about the flora on the island, the endemic, native and invasive species, and execute a propagation of endemic plants at a pre-selected area for erosion control.

This experience will be followed by a trek to Anse Jose, where the “Rangers for a Day” will have an access to wetlands and mangroves, observe the birds along the way, and execute recognition, monitoring and mapping of tree species.

Finally, the budding rangers will be patrolling the Curieuse Marine National Park on SNPA boat, to ensure the marine park waters are respected, control the permits, investigate and confiscate outlaw fish traps, and re-use them for coral propagation. Guests will also have the opportunity to observe the island with its original granite formations such as the Lizard Rock and Turtle Rock. Upon return at the resort, Raffles Ranger will handle them a “Ranger for a Day” certificate, approved by SNPA, an official memento of this unique experience that guests will bring back home.

For the young ones to enjoy the natural paradise as much as their parents do, the resort is also launching a “Mini Ranger” programme, accessible for kids from 7 to 12 years old. The half day experience on Curieuse island includes interaction with tortoises, tree planting at the nursery, and nature walk with Raffles Ranger, sharing its knowledge about the local environment, in a fun and educational way.

Rudy Ricaud, Environmental Project Manager at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles commented “When you come to spend your holidays in Seychelles, you are really amazed by the stunning scenery the archipelago has to offer, and many guests like to explore the natural wonders. At Raffles, we decided to take this experience further. Not only guests have the opportunity to access protected areas on the island and discover a diverse fauna and flora, but they can directly interact with nature, take an active part in a sustainable project, and learn valuable insight into the local environment.”

“Ranger for a Day” is a non-profit progamme developed by Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, in collaboration with SNPA, and the funds collected from the activity, priced at EUR XXX per person, will be donated to SNPA, to help the organisation in its mission to protect the local environment.

ABOUT RAFFLES PRASLIN, SEYCHELLES: Raffles Praslin, Seychelles is an all-villa resort spread over 30 acres of land on the magical island of Praslin, in the Seychelles archipelago. Praslin is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters and the Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site. The resort features 86 spacious pool villas, a selection of superb restaurants and a dramatic rooftop lounge. It also offers exclusive tailor-made experiences from sunset cruise aperitif to fishing excursion with the Chef and private island barbecue. The resort boasts the first signature Raffles branded spa, themed around the jewel-of-the-sea, the pearl, symbolising the wellness philosophy of transformation. It features 13 spa treatment pavilions, all with outstanding views across the water. The service at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles is second to none. Adept in various languages, the team ensure the delivery of Raffles’ hallmark style of emotional luxury with warm welcoming service, 24 hour thoughtful and graceful assistance. raffles.com/praslin

Recent Awards & Accolades:

World's Leading Luxury Villa Resort at the World Travel Awards 2013 and 2014

Seychelles’ Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2012, 2013 and 2014

Continent winner – Luxury Villa Resort and Country winner - Best General Manager at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2014

Forbes Travel Guide's top 10 beach resorts around the world 2012

Condé Nast Traveller Hot List 2012 - Best New Hotels and Best World Spas

Conde Nast Johansens Luxury Spa Guide recommended from 2012 to 2015

Best Spa Hotel Seychelles at the International Hotel Awards 2011 and 2012-13

ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS: Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises eleven luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to city hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the Philippines, Paris and Istanbul, each one is an oasis of calm and charm.

The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in key destinations scheduled over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the timeless essence of Raffles – to deliver thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is part of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a leading global hotel company with more than 110 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. raffles.com